IB MATHS Chapter 18 IA PEARSON

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18 The Mathematical Exploration – Internal Assessment

‘If digressions can bring knowledge of new truths, why should they trouble us? … how do we know that we shall not discover curious things that are more interesting than the answers we originally sought?’

Galileo, Discourses and Mathematical Demonstrations Relating to Two New Sciences, 1638

At the end of the Mathematics Higher Level course, you will take three written exams that will constitute the External Assessment component of the course: Paper 1 (covering the core syllabus – no GDC), Paper 2 (covering the core syllabus – GDC required), and Paper 3 (covering the option topic for which you registered). These written exams will contribute 80% to your final grade for the course that will be reported to you about six weeks after the exams finish.

Internal Assessment (IA) is another important component of the Mathematics Higher Level course and will contribute 20% to your final grade for the course. Thus, IA does comprise a significant part of the overall assessment for the course and should be taken seriously. It should also be pointed out that your work in completing the IA component differs in important ways from the written exams for the course.

• You do not perform IA work under strict time constraints as with written examinations.

• You have some freedom to help decide what mathematical topic you wish to explore.

• Your IA work involves writing about mathematics and not just doing mathematical procedures.

• Regular discussion with, and feedback from, your teacher will be essential.

• You should endeavour to explore a topic in which you have a genuine personal interest.

• You will be rewarded for evidence of creativity, curiosity and independent thinking.

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The Mathematical ExplorationTo satisfy the Internal Assessment component, you are required to write a report on a mathematical topic that you choose in consultation with your teacher. This report is formally referred to as the Mathematical Exploration. Throughout this chapter ‘Mathematical Exploration’ and ‘report’ refer to the same thing, i.e. the written piece of work that you submit for the Internal Assessment component of the course.

The Mathematical Exploration is aptly named because your primary objective in writing this report is to explore a topic in which you are genuinely interested and that is at an appropriate level for the course. Your teacher may provide you with a list of ideas (or ‘stimuli’) from which to choose a topic or which may help you to develop your own ideas for a topic to explore (see the list of 200 ideas printed later in this chapter). It is your responsibility to determine whether or not you are sufficiently interested in a particular topic – and it is your teacher’s responsibility to determine if an exploration of the topic can be conducted at a level mathematically suitable for the course. Your teacher will help you determine if an exploration of a certain topic can potentially address the five assessment criteria satisfactorily. Your report should be approximately 6 to 12 pages long.

Internal Assessment CriteriaYour Mathematical Exploration report will be assessed by your teacher according to the following five criteria.

A Communication: This criterion assesses the organisation and coherence of the exploration. A well-organised exploration has an introduction and a rationale (which includes a brief explanation of why the topic was chosen). It describes the aim of the exploration and has a conclusion.

B Mathematical presentation: This criterion assesses to what extent you are able to:

• use appropriate mathematical language (notation, symbols and terminology);

• define key terms, where necessary;

• use multiple forms of mathematical representation such as formulae, diagrams, tables, charts, graphs and models.

C Personal engagement: This criterion assesses the extent to which you engage with the exploration, and present it in such a way that clearly shows your own personal approach. Personal engagement may be recognised in different attributes and skills. These include thinking independently and/or creatively, addressing personal interest, presenting mathematical ideas in your own way, using simple language to describe complex ideas, and applying unfamiliar mathematics.

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The Mathematical Exploration – Internal Assessment18

D Reflection: This criterion assesses how well you review, analyse and evaluate the exploration. Although reflection may be seen in the conclusion to the exploration, you should also give evidence of reflective thought throughout the exploration. Reflection may be demonstrated by consideration of limitations and/or extensions and by relating mathematical ideas to your own previous knowledge.

E Use of mathematics: This criterion assesses to what extent and how well you use mathematics in your exploration. The mathematics that is explored in your report needs to be sufficiently sophisticated. The chosen topic should involve mathematics either in the Mathematics Higher Level syllabus, at a similar level, or beyond the level of the syllabus. Sophistication in mathematics may include understanding and use of challenging mathematical concepts, looking at a problem from different perspectives, or seeing underlying structures to link different areas of mathematics.

Your report will earn a numerical score out of a total of 20 possible marks. The five criteria do not contribute equally to the overall score for your Mathematical Exploration. For example, criterion E (Use of mathematics) is 30% of the overall score, whereas criteria B (Mathematical presentation) and D (Reflection) contribute 15% each.

It is very important that you familiarize yourself with the assessment criteria and refer to them while you are writing your report. The scoring levels for each criteria and associated descriptors are as follows.

A Communication

0The exploration does not reach the standard described by the descriptors below.

1 The exploration has some coherence.

2 The exploration has some coherence and shows some organisation.

3 The exploration is coherent and well organised.

4 The exploration is coherent, well organised, concise and complete.

B Mathematical presentation


1 There is some appropriate mathematical presentation.

2 The mathematical presentation is mostly appropriate.

3 The mathematical presentation is appropriate throughout.

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C Personal engagement


1 There is evidence of limited or superficial personal engagement.

2 There is evidence of some personal engagement.

3 There is evidence of significant personal engagement.

4 There is abundant evidence of outstanding personal engagement.

D Reflection


1 There is evidence of limited or superficial reflection.

2 There is evidence of meaningful reflection.

3 There is substantial evidence of critical reflection.

E Use of Mathematics


1 Some relevant mathematics is used. Limited understanding is demonstrated.

2Some relevant mathematics is used. The mathematics explored is partially correct. Some knowledge and understanding are demonstrated.

3Relevant mathematics commensurate with the level of the course is used. The mathematics explored is correct. Good knowledge and understanding are demonstrated.

4Relevant mathematics commensurate with the level of the course is used. The mathematics explored is correct and reflects the sophistication expected. Good knowledge and understanding are demonstrated.

5Relevant mathematics commensurate with the level of the course is used. The mathematics explored is correct and reflects the sophistication and rigour expected. Thorough knowledge and understanding are demonstrated.

6Relevant mathematics commensurate with the level of the course is used. The mathematics explored is precise and reflects the sophistication and rigour expected. Thorough knowledge and understanding are demonstrated.

GuidanceConducting an in-depth individual exploration into the mathematics of a particular topic can be an interesting and very rewarding experience. It is important to take all stages of your work on the Mathematical Exploration seriously – not only because it is worth 20% of your final grade for the course, but also because of the opportunity to pursue your own personal interests without the pressure of examination conditions. The Mathematical Exploration will require a significant amount of time and energy to complete successfully. It should not be approached as simply

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an extended homework assignment. The task of writing the report will demand a considerable amount of research, analysis, reading, consultation (with your teacher only), thinking, writing, editing, mathematical work, problem solving and proofreading. Hopefully, it will also be enjoyable, thought provoking and satisfying, and give you the opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty, power and usefulness of mathematics.

Although it is required that your Mathematical Exploration be completely your own work, you should be consulting with your teacher on a regular basis throughout the time given to you to research and write your report. Your teacher should provide support and advice during the planning and writing stages of your report. Both you and your teacher will need to sign the internal assessment coversheet verifying the authenticity of your Mathematical Exploration.

All of the work connected with the exploration must be your own. Your Mathematical Exploration must reflect intellectual honesty in research practices and must provide the reader with the exact sources of quotations, ideas and points of view with a complete and accurate bibliography. There are a number of acceptable bibliographic styles. Whatever style is chosen, it must include all relevant source information and be applied consistently. Group work is not allowed with the Mathematical Exploration. Also, if you are writing an Extended Essay for mathematics, you are not allowed to submit the same piece of work for the Mathematical Exploration – and you are strongly advised not to write about the same mathematical topic for both.

In organizing a successful Mathematical Exploration, consider the following suggestions.

1 Select a topic in which you are genuinely interested. Include a brief explanation in the early part of your report about why you chose your topic – including why you find it interesting.

2 Consult with your teacher that the topic is at the appropriate level of mathematics, i.e. that it is at the same level of mathematics in the HL syllabus, or beyond.

3 Find as much information about the topic as possible. Although information found on internet websites can be very helpful, try to also find information from books, journals, textbooks and other print material.

4 Prepare and organize your material into a thorough and interesting report. Although there is no requirement that you present your report to your class, it should be written so that your fellow classmates can follow it without trouble. Your report needs to be logically organized and use appropriate mathematical terminology and notation.

5 The most important aspects of your report should be about mathematical communication and using mathematics. Although other aspects of your topic (e.g. historical, personal, cultural etc.) can be discussed, be careful not to lose focus on the mathematical features.

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6 Two of the assessment criteria – personal engagement and reflection – are about what you think about the topic you are exploring. Don’t hesitate to pose your own relevant and insightful questions as part of your report, and then to address these questions using mathematics at a suitably sophisticated level along with sufficient written commentary.

7 Although your teacher will expect and require you to work independently, you are allowed to consult with your teacher – and your teacher is allowed to give you advice and feedback to a certain extent while you are working on your report. It is especially important to check with your teacher that any mathematics in your report is correct. Your teacher will not give mathematical answers or corrections, but can indicate where any errors have been made or where improvement is needed.

Mathematical Exploration HL – Student Checklist

Is your report written entirely by yourself – and trying to avoid simply replicating work and ideas from sources you found during your research?

c Yes c No

Have you strived to: apply your personal interest; develop your own ideas; and use critical thinking skills during your exploration and demonstrate these in your report?

c Yes c No

Have you referred to the five assessment criteria while writing your report? c Yes c No

Does your report focus on good mathematical communication – and does it read like an article for a mathematical journal?

c Yes c No

Does your report have a clearly identified introduction and conclusion? c Yes c No

Have you documented all of your source material in a detailed bibliography in line with the IB academic honesty policy?

c Yes c No

Not including the bibliography, is your report 6 to 12 pages? c Yes c No

Are graphs, tables and diagrams sufficiently described and labelled? c Yes c No

To the best of your knowledge, have you used and demonstrated mathematics that is at the same level, or above, of that studied in IB Mathematics HL?

c Yes c No

Have you attempted to discuss mathematical ideas, and use mathematics, with a sufficient level of sophistication and rigour?

c Yes c No

Are formulae, graphs, tables and diagrams in the main body of text? (preferably no full-page graphs; and no separate appendices)

c Yes c No

Have you used technology – such as a GDC, spreadsheet, mathematics software, drawing and word-processing software – to enhance mathematical communication?

c Yes c No

Have you used appropriate mathematical language (notation, symbols, terminology) and defined key terms?

c Yes c No

Is the mathematics in your report performed precisely and accurately? c Yes c No

Has calculator/computer notation and terminology not been used? (y = x2, not y = x^2; ≈, not = for approximate values; p, not pi; |x|, not abs(x); etc)

c Yes c No

At suitable places in your report – especially in the conclusion – have you included reflective and explanatory comments about the mathematical topic being explored?

c Yes c No

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List of 200 ideas/topics for a Mathematical ExplorationThe topics listed here range from fairly broad to quite narrow in scope. It is possible that some of these 200 could be the title or focus of a Mathematical Exploration, while others will require you to investigate further to identify a narrower focus to explore. Do not restrict yourself only to the topics listed below. This list is only the ‘tip of the iceberg’ with regard to potential topics for your Mathematical Exploration. Reading through this list may stimulate you to think of some other topic in which you would be interested in exploring. Many of the items listed below may be unfamiliar to you. A quick search on the internet should give you a better idea what each is about and help you determine if you’re interested enough to investigate further – and see if it might be a suitable topic for your Mathematical Exploration.

Algebra and number theory

Modular arithmetic Goldbach’s conjecture Probabilistic number theory

Applications of complex numbers Diophantine equations Continued fractions

General solution of a cubic equation Applications of logarithms Polar equations

Patterns in Pascal’s triangle Finding prime numbers Random numbers

Pythagorean triples Mersenne primes Magic squares and cubes

Loci and complex numbers Matrices and Cramer’s rule Divisibility tests

Egyptian fractions Complex numbers and transformations Euler’s identity: eiπ + 1 = 0

Chinese remainder theorem Fermat’s last theorem Natural logarithms of complex numbers

Twin primes problem Hypercomplex numbers Diophantine application: Cole numbers

Odd perfect numbers Euclidean algorithm for GCF Palindrome numbers

Factorable sets of integers of the form ak + b

Algebraic congruences Inequalities related to Fibonacci numbers

Combinatorics – art of counting Boolean algebra Graphical representation of roots of complex numbers

Roots of unity Fermat’s little theorem Prime number sieves

Recurrence expressions for phi (golden ratio)

Geometry

Non-Euclidean geometries Cavalieri’s principle Packing 2D and 3D shapes

Ptolemy’s theorem Hexaflexagons Heron’s formula

Geodesic domes Proofs of Pythagorean theorem Minimal surfaces and soap bubbles

Tesseract – a 4D cube Map projections Tiling the plane – tessellations

Penrose tiles Morley’s theorem Cycloid curve

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Geometry (continued)

Symmetries of spider webs Fractal tilings Euler line of a triangle

Fermat point for polygons and polyhedra

Pick’s theorem and lattices Properties of a regular pentagon

Conic sections Nine-point circle Geometry of the catenary curve

Regular polyhedra Euler’s formula for polyhedra Eratosthenes – measuring earth’s circumference

Stacking cannon balls Ceva’s theorem for triangles Constructing a cone from a circle

Conic sections as loci of points Consecutive integral triangles Area of an ellipse

Mandelbrot set and fractal shapes Curves of constant width Sierpinksi triangle

Squaring the circle Polyominoes Reuleaux triangle

Architecture and trigonometry Spherical geometry Gyroid – a minimal surface

Geometric structure of the universe Rigid and non-rigid geometric structures

Tangrams

Calculus/analysis and functions

Mean value theorem Torricelli’s trumpet (Gabriel’s horn) Integrating to infinity

Applications of power series Newton’s law of cooling Fundamental theorem of calculus

Brachistochrone (minimum time) problem

Second order differential equations L’Hôpital’s rule and evaluating limits

Hyperbolic functions The harmonic series Torus – solid of revolution

Projectile motion Why e is base of natural logarithm function

Statistics and modelling

Traffic flow Logistic function and constrained growth

Modelling growth of tumours

Modelling epidemics/spread of a virus Modelling the shape of a bird’s egg Correlation coefficients

Central limit theorem Modelling change in record performances for a sport

Hypothesis testing

Modelling radioactive decay Least squares regression Modelling the carrying capacity of the earth

Regression to the mean Modelling growth of computer power past few decades

Probability and probability distributions

The Monty Hall problem Monte Carlo simulations Random walks

Insurance and calculating risks Poisson distribution and queues Determination of p by probability

Lotteries Bayes’ theorem Birthday paradox

Normal distribution and natural phenomena

Medical tests and probability Probability and expectation

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Games and game theory

The prisoner’s dilemma Sudoku Gambler’s fallacy

Poker and other card games Knight’s tour in chess Billiards and snooker

Zero sum games

Topology and networks

Knots Steiner problem Chinese postman problem

Travelling salesman problem Königsberg bridge problem Handshake problem

Möbius strip Klein bottle

Logic and sets

Codes and ciphers Set theory and different ‘size’ infinities Mathematical induction (strong)

Proof by contradiction Zeno’s paradox of Achilles and the tortoise

Four colour map theorem

Numerical analysis

Linear programming Fixed-point iteration Methods of approximating p

Applications of iteration Newton’s method Estimating size of large crowds

Generating the number e Descartes’ rule of signs Methods for solving differential equations

Physical, biological and social sciences

Radiocarbon dating Gravity, orbits and escape velocity Mathematical methods in economics

Biostatistics Genetics Crystallography

Computing centres of mass Elliptical orbits Logarithmic scales – decibel, Richter, etc.

Fibonacci sequence and spirals in nature

Predicting an eclipse Change in a person’s BMI over time

Concepts of equilibrium in economics Mathematics of the ‘credit crunch’ Branching patterns of plants

Column buckling – Euler theory

Miscellaneous

Paper folding Designing bridges Mathematics of rotating gears

Mathematical card tricks Curry’s paradox – ‘missing’ square Bar codes

Applications of parabolas Music – notes, pitches, scales… Voting systems

Flatland by Edwin Abbott Terminal velocity Towers of Hanoi puzzle

Photography Art of M.C. Escher Harmonic mean

Sundials Navigational systems The abacus

Construction of calendars Slide rules Different number systems

Mathematics of juggling Global positioning system (GPS) Optical illusions

Origami Napier’s bones Celtic designs/knotwork

Design of product packaging Mathematics of weaving

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Website supportFurther guidance and information concerning Internal Assessment is available from the authors’ website at www.wazir-garry-math.org. You are encouraged to register with our site. Along with a considerable amount of support for other aspects of the IB Mathematics Higher Level course, there will be a section on our website devoted specifically to the Mathematical Exploration. We will be regularly updating our site so that you will have access to thorough and useful advice, materials and updates regarding how to get the most out of your Mathematical Exploration.

IB MATHS Chapter 18 IA PEARSON

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